The Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (PLIAN) is an independent non-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to educating Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about the law, with the intent of increasing and improving access to justice. We are the designated public legal education and information provider for Newfoundland and Labrador and are also a member of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC). PLIAN is funded by the Government of Canada, the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, with in-kind and project funding provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and a number of other sources.
PLIAN operates a Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Newfoundland time) or 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Atlantic time). Through the Legal Information Line, clients can receive general legal information and assistance with navigation of the legal system. As part of the Legal Information Line, PLIAN’s Lawyer Referral Service offers clients referrals to participating lawyers. Lawyers who register with this service agree to provide an initial 30-minute consultation at a cost of $40 (taxes included).
To contact the Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service, contact PLIAN at 1-888-660-7788/709-722-2643 or email us at either info@publiclegalinfo.com or a2j@publiclegalinfo.com.
Clients in Labrador can also access the Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service through our Labrador Office at 709-896-5235 or labrador@publiclegalinfo.com
Please note that in-person service is available by appointment only. We strongly recommend emailing or calling the Legal Information Line before coming to any PLIAN office, as we may not be available to serve you.
Through these sessions, PLIAN is able to provide the public with information on particular legal issues. Topics of interest include family law, youth justice issues, wills and estates, and other legal topics. PLIAN also aims to educate youth in the province through a variety of methods. Visits to schools enable PLIAN to present about legal issues relevant to youth, to encourage students to learn about the law, and increase awareness of careers in the law. Please contact us to inquire about a visit to your school.
PLIAN regularly produces publications on many areas of the law. PLIAN distributes copies of its publications throughout the province, where supplies allow. We have also translated a number of our publications into French, Innu-aimun and Inuktitut in an effort to make them more accessible to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.